I just made my first and second attempt at barrel fitting. I asked questions last week about these 2 barrels. Tim's information was very helpful. Both barrels came from the same frame.
The first barrel is a 24" 223 bull. when I put it on my frame, it would not lock. it had a gap at the top, so I followed the FAQ instructions and removed some material from the hinge area. This closed the gap, but still no lockup. It closed tightly on a .001 feeler gauge, so I went to work on the latch shelf. I had to remove quite a bit of material, but it finaly locked up. Smoked the latch, and removed more material until I got about .055 contact. Still closes tightly on a .001 feeler gauge. Success!!
The second barrel is a 30-06 originally from the same rifle as the 223. I put it on my frame, again, no lockup, but no gap at the top at all, tight on a .001 feeler gauge. Hum ?? I went to work on the latch. Again, had to remove a considerable amout of material from the latch shelf, but it finally latched. smoked the latch shelf and just barely touching. Here is where the problem started (as Tim said it might). As I got closer the the minimum latch engagement spec, the barrel started to get loose (as Tim said it might).
My question is; will the shimming process correct this looseness , or am I waisting my time?
Kevin